Report: White Sox could trade former MVP candidate at deadline
Sep 1, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Chicago White Sox hat and glove against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox may be putting another big fish up for sale.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported this week that Chicago is open to trading outfielder Luis Robert Jr. at the deadline. Passan notes that the White Sox are “open for business” and mentions that Tommy Pham, Erick Fedde, and Garrett Crochet are among their many other trade candidates ahead of the July 30 deadline.
It should not be a surprise that Chicago is looking to liquidate. They are the worst team in baseball this season at a rotten 15-46 and already traded away ex-Cy Young finalist Dylan Cease for a haul of prospects before the season.
But a trade of Robert, who is only 26 and under club control through the 2027 season, would still be a stunner. He is one of the very best hitters in baseball and was an AL MVP candidate last year before Shohei Ohtani ran away with the award. Robert finished the year with 38 home runs and 80 RBIs and ultimately ended up 12th in MVP voting.
Granted, Robert has a hard time staying healthy and just recently returned from a two-month absence after suffering one of several bizarre White Sox baserunning injuries. With the short-term future not looking very bright at all for the White Sox, Robert may be a surprise inclusion on the trade block.
